TORONTO, ON – ETFO has expressed concerns that lifting the mask mandate too soon may result in further disruption to in-person learning and negative impacts on the health and safety of ETFO members, students, and their families. We are now seeing significant disruption in schools due to the spread of COVID-19. 

The Ford government has failed Ontario families and is stumbling into yet another wave of COVID-19 cases unprepared.

ETFO strongly urges the government to reintroduce mask mandates for schools. Tracking and reporting of COVID-19 cases in schools must resume so families can assess their risk of exposure and PCR tests must be made available to students and education workers. If the Ford government continues to ignore the health crisis they have caused, then local public health units must take the necessary steps to keep people safe. Ontarians deserve stability and safety, not more chaos.

ETFO represents approximately 83,000 members, including public elementary teachers, occasional teachers, designated early childhood educators, education support personnel, and professional support personnel. Visit BuildingBetterSchools.ca.